The CNC Mill Setup Technician is an experienced, self-sufficient machinist responsible for setting up, proving out, and running complex CNC milling programs on second shift with minimal supervision. This is not an operator role — it is a setup role. The right candidate owns the machine from job launch to last part, troubleshoots independently, holds tight tolerances on high-mix, low-volume aerospace and defense components, and has the instinct and experience to be the last line of defense on second shift.
Essential Responsibilities
Perform complete job setups on CNC vertical and/or horizontal machining centers from engineering drawings, routers, and work orders
Select, install, and qualify tooling, fixtures, and workholding for each job
Prove out new and revised programs; make offsets, edits, and parameter adjustments as needed to achieve first-article approval
Run in-process and final inspection using precision measurement tools — micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, dial indicators, and CMM where applicable
Read and interpret GD&T and blueprints accurately and independently
Diagnose and resolve machine alarms, tooling failures, surface condition issues, and out-of-tolerance conditions without waiting for engineering or programming support
Maintain accurate production records, setup sheets, first-article documentation, and non-conformance reports
Transition jobs cleanly to operators once setups are proven; document setups clearly for repeatability
Support shift continuity by communicating open issues, in-process jobs, and priorities to day shift at turnover
Follow all safety, quality, and housekeeping standards; support 5S on the shop floor
Participate in cross-training and knowledge transfer as the team grows
Qualifications
Required:
5+ years of CNC milling experience with demonstrated setup responsibility — not operator-only background
Ability to set up jobs start to finish independently, including workholding, tooling, and program prove-out
Proficiency reading blueprints and GD&T
Experience with precision measurement and first-article inspection
Ability to troubleshoot out-of-tolerance conditions, tool wear issues, and machine alarms independently
Preferred:
Experience in aerospace, defense, or heavy industrial precision manufacturing
Familiarity with FANUC controls
Exposure to AS9100 or ISO quality management systems
Experience with high-mix, low-volume complex component manufacturing
Experience informally training or mentoring less experienced operators
What We Offer
Competitive hourly wage commensurate with experience
Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
A stable, growing company with 70+ years of history and a long-term ownership mindset
Complex, interesting work — high-mix aerospace and defense components, not repetitive production runs
Active investment in workforce development and apprenticeship — room to grow into training, lead, and mentorship roles